Team HD looks to elevate Coach Gao to consultant, Julius Naranjo to head coach

The 'Team HD' of Olympic gold medalist Hidilyn Diaz is looking to promote Chinese mentor Gao Kaiwen to team consultant as he has now returned to his hometown to rejoin his family.

Diaz herself bared the development on Tuesday, adding that she understands very well Gao's decision to return to China as it has been a long time that he's been away from home.

"For coach Gao, I understand [his decision to leave] because it's been a long time since he's not come home. And because of the pandemic, he will choose the time with his family over anything," said Diaz in Filipino on the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum.

"We in the Team HD had discussed making coach Gao as consultant and then coach Julius will be the head coach."

Gao started coaching Diaz in 2018, just in time for that year's Asian Games where the Filipina weightlifter won the gold followed by another golden finish in the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

Prior to joining the Philippine team, Gao was at the helm of the Chinese national women's army team.

And with the historic success she had under the Chinese mentor, Diaz said she has nothing but gratitude while hoping to still have him around moving forward even in a different capacity.

"I need to understand his decision because this is the perfect time for him to join his family. I am grateful for the time he spent with us and all the help."

Meanwhile, Diaz added they are also looking to tap another assistant coach who will work closely with Julius Naranjo, who will now be promoted to head coach.

Naranjo, also a former weightlifter, previously worked as the Team HD's strength and conditioning coach and was with the team during the golden moment in Tokyo Olympics.

"We will find an assistant coach and we are also hoping to train other athletes."

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA News